JP2003159298A - Device and method for detecting behavior of bath taking person - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable behavior detecting device for a bath taking person that can accurately and surely detect the unusual behavior of the bath taking person by suppressing erroneous detection caused by the fluctuation of water level in a bathtub. <P>SOLUTION: The direction of the device body 10 of this behavior detecting device 1 is set with a prescribed angle of elevation from the vertical direction based on the vertical directivity (beam width) of an antenna 11 and the relative positional relation between the device 1 and the water level 7 in the bathtub, or the like, so that the directivity (radiation pattern) of the antenna 11 may be formed in a state where the extent of a beam B becomes smaller as going toward the water level 7 and becomes larger as going away from the water level 7. Therefore, the transmission of radio waves toward the water level 7 from the antenna 11 and the reception of radio waves reflected by the water level 7 by means of the antenna 11 are suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bather behavior detecting device and a bather behavior detecting method for detecting movements and states of bathers in order to detect and prevent accidents during bathing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the number of accidents while taking a bath in a bathroom has increased, which has become a big social problem. If you lose your consciousness due to a fall while taking a bath or an attack of a disease, you will often be immersed in the bathtub and drowned. In order to prevent such bathing death, it is desired to develop a device that can monitor the behavior of a bather and detect an abnormal situation at an early stage.

Under these circumstances, attempts have recently been made to apply the remote sensing technique using radio waves to detect the movement and state of a bather. For example, if you transmit radio waves from the antenna into the bathroom and receive the radio waves reflected by objects in the bathroom again with the antenna, you can observe changes in the received waves at the antenna as the bather moves, so It is possible to determine whether or not the person is moving.

[0004]

However, there are moving objects other than the bather in the bathroom.
For example, the water level of the hot water that has accumulated in the bathtub is often swaying due to shower water discharge, pouring, or pouring. In addition, jet baths have recently begun to spread to general households, and the water surface may fluctuate greatly due to the jet bubbles. Such fluctuations in the water surface also affect the reception wave at the antenna.

As described above, when the behavior information of the bather and the fluctuation information of the water surface of the bathtub are mixed in the received wave at the antenna, it is detected that there is an object with some movement in the bathroom. Even if it is possible, it is not easy to identify whether it is the movement of the bather or the movement of another object. Generally, in remote sensing by radio waves, it is relatively easy to detect the distance and direction to an object that has reflected radio waves, the movement of the object, etc., but the object that is the detection target (in this case, the bather )
This is because it is difficult to determine whether or not

Therefore, when the bather loses consciousness while pouring the water into the bathtub, the fluctuation of the water surface is regarded as the behavior of the bather even though the bather is not actually moving. There is a risk that the bather's abnormality cannot be detected.

In order to solve such a problem, it is possible to adopt an approach in which the received wave is subjected to signal processing or software processing to identify the fluctuation of the bather and the water surface of the bathtub. However, there are various types of bathrooms and bathtubs in different sizes and structures, and because the installation position of the device in the bathroom is not constant, the difference between the waveform due to the behavior of the bather and the waveform due to the fluctuation of the water surface of the bathtub may be different. It was difficult to make it difficult to improve the identification accuracy.

Further, if a structure for signal processing or software processing is provided, the structure and size of the device will be complicated and the cost will be increased, which is not practical in practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure, suppress false detection due to fluctuations in the water surface of a bathtub, and accurately and surely check a bather's abnormality. It is intended to provide a bather behavior detection device and a bather behavior detection method which are highly reliable and can be detected.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an antenna for transmitting radio waves in a bathroom and receiving radio waves in the bathroom, and the radio waves accompanying the movement of a bather. In the bather behavior detection device that detects the behavior of the bather by observing the change in the water temperature, radio waves are transmitted from the antenna toward the water surface in the bathtub, and / or reflected by the water surface in the bathtub. It is characterized in that a suppression means for suppressing reception of radio waves by the antenna is provided.

According to this structure, at least one of the transmission of radio waves from the antenna toward the water surface of the bathtub and the reception of the reflected wave at the water surface of the bathtub by the antenna is suppressed. Fluctuation has almost no effect on the received wave at the antenna. Therefore, it is possible to selectively observe only the change of the radio wave due to the movement of the bather, and it is possible to accurately and surely detect the abnormality of the bather.

Further, since the received wave at the antenna at this time does not include the behavior information of the bather and the fluctuation information of the water surface of the bathtub, it is not necessary to have a configuration for signal processing or software processing. The configuration is simplified, and the device can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

There are a pulse radar system that uses a pulse wave in the emitted radio wave and a continuous wave radar system that uses a frequency modulation wave in the detection device using radio waves, and the modulation system also includes FM (frequency modulation) and AM ( amplitude mo
Although there are methods such as dulation) and PAM (pulse amplitude modulation), any method can be preferably used in the present invention. The frequency band of radio waves used is not particularly limited.

As the antenna, an antenna having a transmitter for transmitting radio waves in the bathroom and a receiver for receiving radio waves in the bathroom separately may be adopted, or an integrated antenna also serving as transmission and reception. May be adopted.

The above-mentioned "observation of changes in radio waves" includes a method of observing changes due to the reflection phenomenon of radio waves, a method of observing changes due to the scattering phenomenon of radio waves, a method of observing changes due to the transmission phenomenon of radio waves, and the like. There is. In the present invention, any method can be adopted, and a plurality of methods can be combined to perform more reliable bather behavior detection.

In the method of observing the change due to the reflection phenomenon of the radio wave, the radio wave reflected by the bather is received and the behavior of the bather is detected based on the received wave. As one of the methods, for example, an electric wave is transmitted from the antenna into the bathroom, and the electric wave reflected by the bather is received by the antenna again. When the bather is moving, the frequency of the received wave changes due to the Doppler effect.Therefore, by detecting the difference between the transmitted frequency and the received frequency, it is determined whether the bather is in the operating state or in the stationary state. Can be determined.

Further, in the method of observing the change due to the scattering phenomenon of radio waves, the behavior of the bather is detected by observing the radio wave state in the bathroom scattered (disturbed) by the bather. As one of the methods, for example, the radio wave condition in the bathroom with no bather is measured and stored in advance as a steady state. When a bather enters the bathroom, the radio waves are scattered and the radio wave state changes, so by comparing the radio wave state at this time with the steady state stored in advance, it is determined whether or not there is a bather. You can know. Then, by observing the change of the radio wave state in time series, it is possible to determine whether the bather is in the operating state or in the stationary state.

Further, in the method of observing the change due to the radio wave transmission phenomenon, the radio wave transmitted through the body of the bather is received, and the behavior of the bather is detected based on the received wave. As one of the techniques, for example, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit of the antenna are arranged so as to face each other on one wall and the other wall in the bathroom. When a bather crosses between the transmitter and receiver, a decrease in the received power intensity is observed, so by observing the change in time series, the bather is in an active state or in a stationary state. Can be determined.

Further, in the above invention, the intensity of the received wave received by the antenna after repeating the reflection twice or more is clearly defined as compared with the intensity of the received wave received by the antenna after being reflected once. It is preferable to set the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna so that the intensity is attenuated to a value that is small enough to be distinguished.

As a result, when the radio wave reflected on the water surface of the bathtub is secondarily reflected by another object (a bather, a bathtub, a wall surface, etc.), it is received by the antenna while avoiding the suppressing means. Even if there is no confusion with the radio waves reflected by the bather.

Further, as one embodiment of the above invention, as the suppressing means, for example, radio waves are transmitted from the antenna toward the water surface in the bathtub and / or reflected by the water surface in the bathtub. It is possible to preferably employ a configuration in which the directivity of the antenna is changed in a direction in which reception of radio waves by the antenna is suppressed.

By changing the directivity of the antenna in the above-mentioned predetermined direction, fluctuations in the water surface of the bathtub have almost no effect on the waves received by the antenna, and only changes in radio waves due to the movement of the bather are selectively selected. Therefore, the bather's abnormality can be detected accurately and surely.

As means for changing the directivity of the antenna, one based on the physical structure (shape, number, arrangement, etc.) of the antenna, one utilizing the characteristics of radio waves (directivity synthesis, propagation characteristics, phase, etc.), Various means can be adopted, such as one that devises the installation method (position, height, orientation, etc.) of the device body and antenna. The main ones of these means will be exemplified below.

For example, as the suppressing means, it is possible to preferably employ a structure in which a direction adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the direction of the apparatus main body or the antenna is provided.

As the adjusting direction, it is preferable that at least the vertical direction can be adjusted. Depending on the antenna's vertical directivity (beam width), etc., radio waves can be easily transmitted from the antenna to the water surface of the bathtub by installing the main unit or antenna with a predetermined elevation angle in the vertical direction. ,
Also, it is possible to prevent the reflected wave on the water surface of the bathtub from being received by the antenna.

Further, if the horizontal direction or the rotational direction can be adjusted as the adjustment direction, the beam transmitted and received from the antenna can be adjusted according to the shape and arrangement of the bathroom or bathtub, the installation location of the apparatus main body, and the like. The direction can be freely set, and the versatility of the device is improved.

The suppressing means may be, for example,
It is also possible to preferably employ a configuration in which a shielding unit that shields radio waves propagating between the antenna and the water surface in the bathtub is provided.

Since the shielding means can shield the transmitted wave from the antenna and the received wave to the antenna, the transmitted wave traveling from the antenna to the water surface of the bathtub and the reflected wave reflected from the water surface of the bathtub toward the antenna. Fluctuations in the water surface of the bathtub have almost no effect on the received waves at the antenna.

Such a shielding means can be realized with a very simple and inexpensive structure. For example, the shielding means may be made of a material having a property of reflecting radio waves, such as a metal material. It is also preferable to use a material having a property of absorbing radio waves in order to prevent irregular reflection of radio waves. As the structure of the shielding means,
A shape projecting between the transmitting / receiving surface of the antenna and the water surface of the bathtub is preferable, and when an array antenna is adopted, it is also preferable to provide a plurality of shielding means corresponding to each antenna element. Further, it is also preferable to set the position where the shielding means is provided according to the relative positional relationship between the antenna and the bathtub, or to provide a movable structure.

The suppressing means may be, for example,
A configuration in which a wave guiding unit that guides the radio wave transmitted from the antenna and / or the radio wave received by the antenna is provided can also be suitably adopted.

By providing the antenna with the wave guiding means, the directivity of the antenna can be changed in a predetermined direction.
That is, by setting the directivity in a direction that suppresses the transmission wave from the antenna toward the bathtub water surface, it is possible to suppress the transmission wave from reaching the bathtub water surface, and at the same time, the radio wave reflected on the bathtub water surface may be suppressed. It becomes difficult for the antenna to receive it. Also in this case, it is also preferable to set the position at which the waveguide means is provided in accordance with the relative positional relationship between the antenna and the bath or to provide a movable structure.

When the blocking means is made of a conductive material such as a metal material, the blocking means can be electrically grounded to function as the wave guiding means.

The suppressing means may be, for example,
A configuration in which a directivity changing means for electrically changing the directivity of the antenna is provided can also be suitably adopted.

That is, by setting the directivity by the electric directivity varying means in a direction in which the transmitted wave from the antenna is suppressed from going to the water surface of the bathtub, the transmitted wave can be suppressed from reaching the water surface of the bathtub. At the same time, it becomes difficult for the antenna to receive the radio waves reflected on the water surface of the bathtub.

For example, when an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arrayed is used, phase control means for shifting the phase of the radio wave associated with each antenna element is provided, and the phase of the radio wave in the portion near the water surface in the bathtub is Control is performed so that the phase advances compared to the phase of the radio wave in the far part. Then, the directivity of the antenna as a whole changes in the direction away from the water surface of the bathtub, so that the fluctuation of the water surface of the bathtub hardly affects the received wave at the antenna.

The suppressing means may be, for example,
A configuration in which the antenna is covered with a cover member having a permittivity distribution in which the permittivity of the portion near the water surface in the bathtub is set lower than the permittivity of the portion far from the water surface can also be suitably adopted.

Generally, the speed of radio waves is equal to the speed of light, but when passing through a substance having a high dielectric constant, the phenomenon that the speed of radio waves slows down occurs. Therefore, a radio wave that has passed through a portion of the cover member having a high dielectric constant is delayed in timing of emission as compared with a radio wave that has passed through a portion of a low dielectric constant,
It causes a phase delay. Also in this case, the directivity of the antenna as a whole can be changed in the direction away from the water surface of the bathtub by the same principle as that of the phase control means. The permittivity distribution may be changed continuously over the entire cover member or may be changed stepwise.

The suppressing means may be, for example,
Radio waves radiated from the antenna are reflected in the bathroom as plane waves, and the plane waves are transmitted toward the water surface in the bathtub, and / or radio waves reflected by the water surface in the bathtub. It is also possible to preferably employ a configuration in which a reflecting means having an opening surface is provided in a direction that suppresses the reflection of the light toward the antenna.

According to this structure, since the transmitting wave from the antenna becomes a plane wave by the reflecting means, it is possible to form a beam having a sharp directivity while ensuring a predetermined beam width.

Then, the plane wave is transmitted toward the water surface in the bathtub in the direction of the opening surface of the reflecting means, or /
And, by setting the direction that suppresses the reflection of the radio waves reflected on the water surface in the bathtub toward the antenna,
Fluctuations in the water surface of the bathtub have almost no effect on the waves received by the antenna.

Further, the suppressing means for changing the directivity of the antenna in the predetermined direction changes the direction of the antenna based on the detection result of the water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub. A configuration including a direction control means for controlling can also be suitably adopted.

According to this structure, even if the height of the water surface of the bathtub fluctuates due to the fact that the bather enters the bathtub or water is supplied into the bathtub, the antenna is adjusted according to the change in the water level. Since the directivity can be changed in an appropriate direction, the optimum detection range can always be maintained, the accuracy of behavior detection can be further improved, and the operability, versatility and adaptability of the device can be improved.

Further, as the suppressing means, for example, a structure including a position adjusting means capable of adjusting the installation position of the apparatus main body or the antenna can be preferably adopted.

According to this configuration, the installation position of the apparatus main body or the antenna is appropriately adjusted according to the conditions such as the vertical directivity (beam width) of the antenna, the structure and arrangement of the bathroom / bath, and the water level of the bath. Thus, it is possible to easily suppress the transmission of radio waves from the antenna toward the water surface of the bathtub and the reception of the reflected wave on the water surface of the bathtub by the antenna.

Further, at this time, the position adjusting means is provided with position control means for controlling the installation position of the apparatus main body or the antenna based on the detection result of the water level detecting means for detecting the water surface height in the bathtub. Further, it is more preferable for improving the accuracy of behavior detection, and improving the operability, adaptability and versatility of the device.

Further, as an embodiment of each of the above inventions, preferably the antenna is an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged so that the beam width in the vertical direction is narrower than the beam width in the horizontal direction. Can be adopted.

By thus reducing the beam width in the vertical direction, it becomes easy to suppress the radio wave traveling toward the water surface of the bathtub, and it is difficult to receive the radio wave reflected on the water surface of the bathtub due to the reversibility of transmission and reception of the antenna. It can be done easily. Also, by increasing the horizontal beam width,
It is possible to detect the behavior of the bather over a wide area in the bathroom. The array of antenna elements may be appropriately set depending on the size and shape of the antenna elements and the frequency band (wavelength) of the radio wave used.

[0048]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
Unless otherwise specified, the material, the shape, the relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto.

(First Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a bather behavior detecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one installation mode of the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment. 1A is a top view of the bathroom 2 seen from above, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the bathroom 2 seen from the side.

In the figure, a bathroom remote controller 5 is installed on one wall surface 3 in the bathroom 2. The bathroom remote controller 5 is an operation means for controlling on / off of the water heater, the temperature of the water heater, the heating temperature of the bath, and the like.

The bather behavior detecting device 1 is provided on the wall surface 3 of the bathroom 2.
It is installed in the bathroom remote control 5 installed in. The location of the bather behavior detecting device 1 is not limited to the bathroom remote controller 5, and may be independently installed on the wall, ceiling or corner of the bathroom 2, or installed in a lighting device installed on the wall, or It can also be installed behind the wall of the bathroom 2.

The bather behavior detecting device 1 transmits and receives radio waves with an antenna and observes changes in the radio waves accompanying the movement of the bather 6 to determine the behavior of the bather 6 (whether in the operating state or in the stationary state). ) Is detected.

The alternate long and short dash line in the figure indicates the bather behavior detector 1
1 schematically shows a beam B of a radio wave transmitted from or received by the bather behavior detecting device 1. in this way,
The antenna of the bather behavior detecting device 1 has a directivity that is wide in the horizontal direction and relatively narrow in the vertical direction. Further, the directivity in the vertical direction is such that the spread of the beam B is small in the direction toward the water surface 7 in the bathtub 4 (downward in FIG. 1),
On the other hand, the spread of the beam B is set to be large in the direction away from the bath surface 7 (upward in FIG. 1).

A configuration for imparting such directivity to the antenna of the bather behavior detecting device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment. In the figure,
The direction orthogonal to the wall surface on which the bather behavior detection device 1 is installed is defined as the X direction, the direction parallel and horizontal to the wall surface is defined as the Y direction, and the direction parallel and perpendicular to the wall surface is defined as the Z direction. See also FIG.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together, the bather behavior detecting device 1 is generally provided with a device body 10 and a direction adjusting mechanism 13 capable of adjusting the orientation of the device body 10. Has been done.

The apparatus main body 10 has an antenna-integrated structure in which the antenna 11 is provided on the surface facing the bathroom 2.

The antenna 11 transmits radio waves in the bathroom 2 and receives radio waves in the bathroom 2, and is composed of an array antenna in which a plurality of plate-shaped antenna elements 12 are arranged. In this embodiment, three in the Z direction, Y
Although a total of six antenna elements 12 are arrayed in each direction, the number of arrayed elements is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the antenna may be configured such that the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are separately provided.

The spacing between the antenna elements 12 in the Z direction is set to be approximately 1/2 to 1 times the wavelength of the radio wave used, and the spacing in the Y direction is approximately equal to the wavelength of the radio wave. It is set to be 1 to 2 times.

By doing so, each antenna element 12
The directivity combination (1) provides a directivity (radiation pattern) in which the beam width in the Z direction (vertical direction) is narrower than the beam width in the Y direction (horizontal direction). Specifically, the cross section of the beam B radiated from the antenna 11 has a substantially elliptical shape having a long axis in the Y direction and a short axis in the Z direction, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

The direction adjusting mechanism 13 is generally constituted by an annular first ring 14 and a semi-annular second ring 16. The device body 10 has a pin 1 at the top and bottom.
It is held by the first ring 14 via 5, 15. Further, the first ring 14 has pins 17, 1 on both sides thereof.
Is held by the second ring 16 via the second ring 16
Has its rear surface held on the wall surface via pins 18.

Each of the pins 15, 17 and 18 has a rotating mechanism. That is, the device body 10 has the pin 1
R in the drawing for the first ring 14 with 5 and 15 as rotation axes
The first ring 14 is rotatably held in the z direction and is rotatably held in the Ry direction in the drawing with respect to the second ring 16 about the pins 17 and 17 as rotation axes.
6 is held rotatably in the direction of Rx in the drawing with respect to the wall surface with the pin 18 as a rotation axis.

Therefore, by rotating the apparatus body 10 in the Rz direction, the direction of the antenna 11, that is, the directivity of the antenna 11 can be adjusted in the horizontal direction. Further, by rotating the first ring 14 in the Ry direction, the directivity of the antenna 11 can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Further, by rotating the second ring 16 in the Rx direction, the directivity of the antenna 11 can be adjusted in the rotating direction.

When the bather behavior detector 1 is installed, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical directivity (beam width) of the antenna 11 and the bather behavior detector 1 and the bath water surface 7 are set. Based on the relative positional relationship and the like, a predetermined elevation angle is provided in the vertical direction to set the orientation of the apparatus main body 10, and the spread of the beam B is small in the direction toward the bathtub water surface 7, while in the direction away from the bathtub water surface 7. Causes the directivity (radiation pattern) of the antenna 11 to be formed so that the spread of the beam B becomes large.

By setting the directivity of the antenna 11 in this way, the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the water surface 7 of the bathtub, and the radio wave reflected by the water surface 7 of the bathtub is received by the antenna 11. Is suppressed.

Next, in the apparatus having the above structure, the bather 6
A process for detecting the state of will be described. In addition,
In the following description, the FM-CW method (FM
-Continuous wave method) is adopted to detect the state of the bather 6 based on the reflection phenomenon of radio waves, but other radar methods and observation methods can be suitably used.

First, the FM-modulated continuous wave is transmitted from the antenna 11 into the bathroom 2. In the FM-CW system, the frequency of the transmission wave is linearly changed with a predetermined frequency deviation centering on a predetermined reference frequency, and a triangular transmission wave is formed.

Here, the intensity of the transmitted wave is the intensity of the received wave received by the antenna 11 after being reflected twice or more, and the intensity of the received wave received by the antenna 11 after being reflected once by the bather 6 or the like. The value is set to a value that is sufficiently small compared to the strength so that the two can be clearly distinguished.

Then, when the transmitted wave hits a certain target, the reflected wave is reflected, and one of the reflected waves that returns to the directivity range of the antenna 11 is received by the antenna 11. At this time, since the time elapses between the emission of the transmitted wave and the reception of the reflected wave, a frequency difference occurs between the transmitted wave and the received wave. The distance to the target is calculated based on this frequency difference.

Further, when the target is moving, the frequency of the received wave changes due to the Doppler effect. That is,
When the target is approaching the direction of the antenna 11, the frequency of the received wave is high, and when the target is far away, the frequency of the received wave is low. Therefore, by observing the difference between the transmission frequency and the reception frequency, it is determined whether the target is in the operating state or in the stationary state.

Generally speaking, the “moving target” existing in the bathroom 2 is limited to the fluctuation of the bather 6 or the water surface 7 of the bathtub. Here, according to the present embodiment, the transmitted wave from the antenna 11 hardly reaches the bathtub water surface 7, and the reflected wave reflected by the bathtub water surface 7 is also difficult to receive by the antenna 11, so that the bathtub surface 7 fluctuations are antenna 11
Has almost no effect on the received wave at. Also,
Even if the radio wave reflected by the water surface 7 of the bathtub is returned to the range of the directivity of the antenna 11 by being subjected to the secondary and tertiary reflections by other objects (the bather 6, the bathtub 4, the wall surface, etc.), Since the intensity of the transmitted wave is set as described above, 2
The reflected wave that is reflected more than once is attenuated to a value sufficiently smaller than the primary reflected wave, and can be ignored.

Therefore, when the target in the operating state is detected, it is judged that the bather 6 has no abnormality, and when the target in the operating state is not detected. , It is determined that the bather 6 has an abnormality.

In the latter case, the warning panel indicating that the bather 6 has an abnormality is displayed on an alarm panel or the like installed outside the bathroom 2 or in the living room, and an alarm is issued. This enables early detection of abnormal situations and prevents accidents while bathing. Needless to say, this device can detect not only an accident while taking a bath but also an accident other than a bath, such as a fall accident during cleaning of a bathroom.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the antenna 11 is composed of the array antenna, it is possible to form a substantially elliptical directivity (beam width) which is wide in the horizontal direction and narrow in the vertical direction. By narrowing the directivity in the vertical direction, it becomes easy to suppress radio waves traveling toward the water surface 7 of the bathtub, and the reversibility of transmission / reception of the antenna causes the water surface 7 of the bathtub to be suppressed.
It can be easily set to make it difficult to receive the radio waves reflected by. Also, by widening the horizontal directivity,
The behavior of the bather 6 can be detected over a wide area in the bathroom 2, and a detection error can be prevented.

Further, since the direction adjusting mechanism 13 capable of adjusting the orientation of the apparatus main body 10 is provided, radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the water surface 7 of the bathtub, or radio waves reflected by the water surface 7 of the bathtub are transmitted by the antenna 11. It becomes easy to give directivity to the antenna 11 such that reception is suppressed.

By imparting such directivity, fluctuations in the water surface 7 of the bathtub have almost no effect on the received wave at the antenna 11, and only changes in the radio wave due to the movement of the bather 6 are selectively observed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and surely detect the abnormality of the bather 6.

At this time, the wave received by the antenna 11 only includes the behavior information of the bather 6 and does not include the fluctuation information of the water surface 7 of the bathtub. Therefore, a special signal is transmitted to the apparatus body 10 side. It is not necessary to provide a configuration for processing or software processing, the device configuration is simplified, and the device can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

Further, by the direction adjusting mechanism 13, the vertical direction,
Since the orientation of the antenna 11 can be freely adjusted in the horizontal direction and the rotation direction, the antenna can be adjusted in accordance with the conditions such as the shape / size / arrangement of the bathroom 2 and the bathtub 4 and the installation position of the bather behavior detection device 1. The direction and shape of the beam B transmitted and received from 11 can be set appropriately, and the versatility of the apparatus is improved.

Furthermore, since radio waves are used as a detection medium for detecting the bather's state, the environment (illuminance, temperature, humidity, etc.) in the bathroom 2 changes, and dust or dirt adheres to the antenna. Even if it happens, it is difficult to be affected and stable and highly reliable behavior detection can be always performed. Further, it is possible to install it in the bathroom remote controller 5, the lighting equipment, the back side of the wall surface, etc., and the aesthetics of the bathroom 2 can be improved.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions different from those of the first embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4A shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment is roughly composed of a device body 10 and an antenna 1.
1 and a direction adjusting mechanism 20 for adjusting the direction of the antenna 11.

In the first embodiment, the orientation of the antenna-integrated device body is adjustable, but in the present embodiment, the device body 10 and the antenna 11 are provided as separate bodies. 10 is fixed to the bathroom wall surface 3, and the antenna 11
Only the direction of can be adjusted. The device body 10 and the antenna 11 are electrically connected by the direction adjusting mechanism 20, and the radio waves generated and received by the device body 10 pass through the antenna 11.

The direction adjusting mechanism 20 is roughly composed of two arm portions 21 and 21, an antenna 11, an arm portion 21 and 21.
Three hinges 22, 22, 2 connecting between the device main bodies 10
2 and. As a result, the antenna 11
Can be oriented vertically, horizontally and rotationally. Further, the distance between the antenna 11 and the device body 10 can be adjusted.

Then, when the bather behavior detecting device 1 is installed, the vertical directivity (beam width) of the antenna 11 is set.
Also, based on the relative positional relationship between the bather behavior detection device 1 and the bath surface 7, etc., a predetermined elevation angle is provided in the vertical direction to set the orientation of the antenna 11, and the beam B spreads in the direction toward the bath surface 7. The directivity (radiation pattern) of the antenna 11 is formed so that the spread of the beam B is small and the spread of the beam B is large in the direction away from the bath surface 7.

By setting the directivity of the antenna 11 as described above, the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the bath surface 7 and the radio wave reflected by the bath surface 7 is received by the antenna 11. Is suppressed.

Therefore, also with the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

The direction adjusting mechanism described in the first embodiment and the present embodiment is merely an example, and the direction (at least the vertical direction) of the apparatus body 10 or the antenna 11 can be adjusted. Any mechanism that can be used can be preferably adopted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the effect similar to that of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained also by the structure in which the direction adjusting mechanism 23 rotatable in the vertical direction is provided.

In addition, as in the present embodiment, the antenna 11
The antenna 11 and the device body 10 are separately provided.
The direction adjusting mechanism adopted in the first embodiment can be applied as the direction adjusting mechanism of the above, or conversely, the direction adjusting mechanism 20 of the present embodiment is applied as the direction adjusting mechanism of the antenna-integrated type device main body. You can also do it.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment comprises an antenna-integrated device body 10 having an antenna 11 on the surface facing the bathroom, and a shielding member 30. Has been done.

In the first and second embodiments, the antenna body 1 or the antenna 11 is made movable and the antenna 1 is used.
Although the directivity of No. 1 is changed, the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the directivity of the antenna 11 is changed with the apparatus body 10 and the antenna 11 fixed to the bathroom wall surface 3.

The shield member 30 is a plate-like member made of a material having a property of reflecting radio waves, such as a metal material, or a material having a property of absorbing radio waves. In particular, when it is made of a material having a property of absorbing radio waves, the shielding member 3
This is preferable because irregular reflection of radio waves due to 0 does not occur.

The size / shape / thickness / number of the shielding member 30
The arrangement and the like are appropriately set according to the frequency of the radio wave used in the bather behavior detection device 1 and the shape and structure of the antenna 11. In the present embodiment, since the array antenna in which the antenna elements 12 are arranged in 2 columns × 3 rows is used as the antenna 11, a plurality of (three) shield members 30 are attached to each row of the antenna elements 12. There is.

Each shield member 30 has an antenna element 12
It is attached to the water surface 7 side of the bathtub (lower side in the drawing), and is positioned so as to project just between the radio wave transmitting / receiving surface of the antenna element 12 and the water surface 7 of the bathtub.

The shielding member 30 having such a structure has an effect of shielding an electric wave propagating between the antenna 11 (antenna element 12) and the bath surface 7.

That is, when the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna element 12, the radio wave traveling toward the bath surface 7 in the transmission wave is reflected or absorbed by the shielding member 30, so that the transmission wave from the antenna 11 is transmitted to the bath surface. It is suppressed to go to 7. Since the shield member 30 is not attached to the ceiling side (upper side in the figure) of the antenna element 12, it has a wide directivity in that direction.

On the other hand, when the radio wave reflected on the water surface 7 of the bathtub reaches the antenna 11, the reflected wave is reflected or absorbed by the shielding member 30, so that it is suppressed from being received by the antenna element 12. To be done.

The reflected wave from the bather 6 is not reflected or absorbed by the shielding member 30 with respect to the reflected wave coming from the antenna 11 to the antenna 11 in a direction substantially facing the transmitting / receiving surface of the antenna 11 or from above. Can be received well.

In other words, it can be said that the shielding member 30 is a blinding means for blinding the visual field of the antenna 11 in the predetermined direction. That is, with respect to the direction in which the bather 6 exists and the apparent direction from the antenna 11 when the bather 6 stands up, the directivity of the antenna 11 is maintained, while the direction of the water surface 7 of the bathtub is maintained. The field of view of the antenna 11 is blinded so that the transmitted wave from the antenna 11 is not emitted and the reflected wave from the same direction does not enter the antenna 11.

According to the configuration of this embodiment described above,
Since the fluctuation of the water surface 7 of the bathtub has almost no influence on the received wave at the antenna 11, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, since such a shielding member 30 can be manufactured very easily and inexpensively, the cost can be further reduced.

Although the shielding member 30 is fixed to the transmitting / receiving surface of the antenna 11 in this embodiment, it is also preferable that the shielding member 30 has a movable structure. For example, the shield member 30 is attached by a movable connecting member such as a hinge, and the antenna 1
1 according to the relative positional relationship between the bathtub 4 and the like, the shielding member 30
By changing the inclination of, the directivity of the antenna 11 can be set appropriately.

Furthermore, when the shielding member 30 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal material, the shielding member 30
It is also possible to function as a ground plane (waveguide means) by electrically grounding.

When the shielding member 30 is made to function as a ground plane in the configuration of FIG. 5, the radio waves transmitted from the antenna 11 are guided toward the tip direction of the shielding member 30, and from the tip direction of the shielding member 30. The incoming radio wave is mainly received by the antenna 11.

Therefore, also in this case, the fluctuation of the water surface 7 of the bathtub has almost no effect on the received wave at the antenna 11.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment is composed of an antenna-integrated device body 10 having an antenna 11 on the surface facing the bathroom. The device body 10 is fixed to the bathroom wall surface 3.

The antenna 11 includes a plurality of antenna elements 12
a, 12b, 12c are arranged and each antenna element 12
It is configured as a so-called phased array antenna in which phase shifters 40a, 40b and 40c are provided on a, 12b and 12c. This phased array antenna is a directivity changing means for electrically changing the directivity of the antenna 11.

The phase shifters 40a, 40b and 40c are phase control means for changing the phase of each antenna element by changing the phase of the power supplied from the power supply means (not shown). Phase shifter 40a
Has the largest phase delay, and the phase shifter 40b and the phase shifter 4
The phase delay is set to decrease in the order of 0c.

Therefore, the phase of the radio wave radiated from the antenna element 12c arranged closest to the water surface 7 of the bathtub becomes the earliest, and the radio wave radiated as the antenna elements 12b and 12c are farther from the water surface 7 of the bathtub. The phase of will be delayed. Reference numeral 41 in FIG. 6 indicates each antenna element 1.
The phases of the radio waves radiated from 2a, 12b, and 12c are schematically shown. Reference numeral 42 indicates the in-phase plane of each radio wave.

The antenna 11 thus constructed has directivity in the normal direction of the in-phase plane 42 of the radio waves radiated from the antenna elements 12a, 12b and 12c. That is, the spread of the beam B in the direction toward the bath surface 7 is small, while the spread of the beam B in the direction away from the bath surface 7 is large.
One directivity (radiation pattern) is formed.

Therefore, from the antenna 11 to the bath surface 7
It is possible to prevent the radio wave from being transmitted toward and the radio wave reflected by the water surface 7 of the bathtub from being received by the antenna 11, and the same operation as that of the first embodiment can be achieved by the configuration of the present embodiment. The effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the phased array antenna is used as the directivity changing means. However, as a structure for electrically changing the directivity of the antenna, another structure such as an adaptive array antenna may be adopted. You can

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment is provided so as to cover the antenna main body 10 having an antenna 11 on the surface facing the bathroom and the antenna main body 10. And a cover member 50. The device body 10 is fixed to the bathroom wall surface 3.

The cover member 50 is a member formed of a dielectric material such as styrofoam or plastic, and its permittivity distribution is a portion near the bath surface 7 (lower side in FIG. 7) where the permittivity is far. It is set to be lower than the dielectric constant (upper side in FIG. 7).

Generally, the speed of radio waves is equal to the speed of light, but when passing through a substance having a high dielectric constant, the speed of radio waves slows down. Therefore, a radio wave that has passed through a portion of the cover member 50 having a high dielectric constant is delayed in timing of emission as compared with a radio wave that has passed through a portion of a low dielectric constant, resulting in a phase delay.

Therefore, the phase of the radio wave radiated from the position closest to the bath water surface 7 becomes the earliest, and the phase of the radiated radio wave delays as the distance from the bath water surface 7 increases. Reference numeral 51 in FIG. 7 schematically shows the phase of the radio wave radiated from each antenna element 12. Also,
Reference numeral 52 indicates the in-phase surface of each radio wave.

Also in this case, the antenna 11 has directivity in the normal direction of the in-phase surface 52 according to the same principle as that of the fourth embodiment, and the beam B spreads in the direction toward the bath surface 7. Is small, and on the other hand, the spread of the beam B increases in the direction away from the bath surface 7.
The directivity (radiation pattern) of the antenna 11 is formed.

Therefore, from the antenna 11 to the bath surface 7
Since the transmission of radio waves toward and the reception of the radio waves reflected on the water surface 7 of the bathtub by the antenna 11 are suppressed, the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The effect of can be obtained.

The permittivity distribution may be continuously changed so that the permittivity gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end of the cover member 50, or may be changed stepwise according to the position of each antenna element. (In the case of the present embodiment, 3
It may be changed in stages).

Although the cover member is formed of a dielectric material in the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by attaching a dielectric sheet having the above-mentioned dielectric constant distribution to the surface of the cover member made of a non-dielectric material. The effect can be obtained.

When the bather behavior detecting device 1 has a radome, the function of the cover member can also be used by setting the above-mentioned dielectric constant distribution in this radome.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment has a device body 10, an antenna 11 arranged facing the bathroom wall surface 3 side, and a parabolic reflector 60.
And are provided.

The parabolic reflector 60 is a reflection means for reflecting the radio wave radiated from the antenna 11 into the bathroom as a plane wave. In addition, the parabolic reflector 60 from the bathroom
The radio wave incident on is converged and received by the antenna 11.

The parabolic reflector 60 has a direction adjusting mechanism 62.
It is supported by the apparatus main body 10 via the, and the orientation of the opening surface 61 can be adjusted in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

According to this configuration, since the transmission wave from the antenna 11 becomes a plane wave by the parabolic reflector 60,
It is possible to form a beam having a sharp directivity while ensuring a predetermined beam width. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the setting in which the radio wave is transmitted only in a desired direction, for example, the direction in which the bather 6 who is the detection target is present, and the radio wave is received only from that direction.

When the bather behavior detecting device 1 is installed, as shown in FIG. 8, the directivity of the parabolic reflector 60 and the relative positional relationship between the bather behavior detecting device 1 and the bath surface 7 are considered. Based on this, a predetermined elevation angle is provided in the vertical direction to set the orientation of the opening surface 61 of the parabolic reflecting mirror 60 so that the plane wave radiated from this opening surface 61 is not transmitted toward the bath surface 7.

When the directivity of the parabolic reflector 60 is set in this way, even if the radio wave reflected on the water surface 7 of the bathtub reaches the parabolic reflector 60, the reflected wave is reflected by the antenna 1
It is not received because it does not converge to 1.

Therefore, the fluctuation of the water surface 7 of the bathtub has almost no influence on the received wave at the antenna 11, and the configuration of this embodiment can also obtain the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the antenna 11 based on the height of the water surface in the bathtub 4 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment.
The control unit 72 (direction control means) for controlling the direction (direction of the antenna 11) for changing the directivity is added.

The control unit 72 is connected to the water level detector 74 provided in the water heater 73 by a signal line 76, a drive system for rotating each part of the direction adjusting mechanism 13, and a control for performing drive control of this drive system. And a circuit. The control circuit drives the drive system based on the output signal from the water level detector 74, and appropriately adjusts the orientation of the apparatus body (the orientation of the antenna 11).

The water heater 73 is a device for taking in water (hot water) in the bathtub 4 via the hot water supply pipe 75 and warming the water in the bathtub 4 to the set boiling temperature. Further, the water level detector 74 is a device that detects the height of the bath surface 7 based on the water pressure of water taken in via the hot water supply pipe 75.

In the above structure, when the water surface of the bathtub 4 is at the position 7'in the figure, the water level detector 74 detects the height of the water surface 7'of the bathtub and controls the information (detection result). It is transmitted to the unit 72. The control unit 72 appropriately controls the drive system based on the information and sets the antenna 11 at the position indicated by the dotted line in the figure.
Adjust the orientation of. As a result, as shown by a beam B'in the figure, it is possible to suppress the transmission of radio waves from the antenna 11 toward the water surface 7'of the bathtub and the reception of reflected waves at the water surface 7'of the bathtub by the antenna 11. The directivity of the antenna 11 is set in such a direction.

When the water level in the bathtub 4 rises to the position 7 in the figure due to the bather 6 being immersed in the bathtub 4 or water being supplied from the callan to the bathtub 4, the water level detector 74 is activated. The change in water level is detected and the information is transmitted to the control unit 72. The controller 72 appropriately controls the drive system based on the same information to adjust the orientation of the antenna 11 to the position shown by the solid line in the figure. As a result, as shown by a beam B in the figure, a direction in which radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the bathtub water surface 7 and reflected waves at the bathtub water surface 7 are suppressed from being received by the antenna 11. Then, the directivity of the antenna 11 is set.

The controller 72 stores in advance information such as the directivity of the antenna 11 in the vertical direction, the structure and arrangement of the bathroom 2 and the bathtub 4, and the orientation of the antenna 11 (the antenna 11 Directionality) can be controlled in the optimal direction.

According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the directivity of the antenna 11 is changed in an appropriate direction so that only the behavior information of the bather 6 is detected according to the change in the water surface of the bathtub, and the behavior detection processing is performed at that position. Therefore, the optimum detection range can always be maintained, and the accuracy of bather behavior detection is further improved. In addition, the device body 10 is automatically
Since the installation position of the device is adjusted, the operability, versatility and adaptability of the device are improved.

Although the configuration in which the direction control means is provided in the first embodiment has been described here, it is also preferable to combine the direction control means with the configuration in each of the second to sixth embodiments. .

For example, when the direction control means is provided in the configuration of the second, third or sixth embodiment, the configuration similar to that of the control unit 72 described here can be applied. That is, by controlling the orientation of the antenna 11, the orientation of the shielding member 30 (the inclination angle), or the orientation of the opening surface 61 of the parabolic reflector 60 to the optimum direction based on the output signal from the water level detector 74, It is possible to change the directivity of the antenna 11 in an appropriate direction.

When the direction control means is provided in the structure of the fourth embodiment, each phase shifter 40 is controlled by the control section 72.
The phase delay amounts of a, 40b and 40c are changed. That is, if the relative difference between the phase delay amounts of the phase shifters 40a, 40b, 40c is reduced, the directivity of the antenna 11 changes toward the bath surface 7, and if the relative difference is increased, the antenna 11 moves. Of the antenna 11 changes in a direction away from the water surface 7 of the bathtub. Therefore, by setting the phase delay amount appropriately based on the output signal from the water level detector 74, the directivity of the antenna 11 can be changed in an appropriate direction. It will be possible.

When the direction control means is provided in the structure of the fifth embodiment, the controller 72 is used by the controller 72.
The dielectric constant distribution of is changed. For example, the relative position between the cover member 50 and the antenna 11 may be shifted,
The cover member 50 may be inclined. Alternatively, it can be realized by preparing a plurality of cover members 50 or dielectric sheets having different permittivity distributions and switching them appropriately.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the bather behavior detecting device 1 of the present embodiment is a device body 1 having an antenna 11.
0 and position adjusting means capable of adjusting the installation position of the apparatus body 10.

The position adjusting means roughly comprises a rail portion 70 for supporting the apparatus body 10 and a control section (position control means) 71 for controlling the installation height of the apparatus body 10. Further, the control unit 71 is connected to a water level detector 74 included in the water heater 73 by a signal line 76.

The rail portion 70 is spirally threaded as a whole, and the device body 10 is supported at a predetermined installation height by engaging the thread groove with the screw hole of the device body 10.

The control section 71 has a motor for rotating the rail section 70 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and a control circuit for controlling the drive of this motor. The control circuit is a water level detector 74.
The motor is driven based on the output signal from the rail unit 7
Rotate 0. With the rotation of the rail portion 70, the apparatus body 10 moves up or down in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the installation height thereof is adjusted.

The water heater 73 is a device for taking in water (hot water) in the bathtub 4 via the hot water supply pipe 75 and warming the water in the bathtub 4 to a set boiling temperature. Further, the water level detector 74 is a device that detects the height of the bath surface 7 based on the water pressure of water taken in via the hot water supply pipe 75.

In the above structure, when the water surface of the bathtub 4 is at the position 7'in the figure, the water level detector 74 detects the height of the water surface 7'of the bathtub and controls the information (detection result). It is transmitted to the unit 71. Based on the information, the controller 71 appropriately rotates the motor to adjust the installation height of the apparatus body 10 to the position h1 in the figure. At the installation height h1 of the apparatus body 10 at this time, radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the water surface 7'of the bathtub, or the reflected wave at the water surface 7'of the bathtub is reflected by the antenna 1
The height is set so that the reception at 1 is suppressed.

When the water level in the bathtub 4 rises to the position 7 in the figure because the bather 6 is immersed in the bathtub 4 or water is supplied from the callan to the bathtub 4, the water level detector 74 is activated. The change in water level is detected and the information is transmitted to the control unit 71. The control unit 71 appropriately rotates the motor based on the information to raise the apparatus body 10 to the position h2.
The installation height h2 at this time is such that radio waves are suppressed from being transmitted from the antenna 11 toward the water surface 7 of the bathtub and reflected waves from the water surface 7 of the bathtub are prevented from being received by the antenna 11.

The control unit 71 stores in advance information such as the directivity of the antenna 11 in the vertical direction and the structures and arrangements of the bathroom 2 and the bathtub 4, and determines the installation position of the apparatus body 10 according to the bathtub water level. It can be controlled to the optimum height.

According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 10 is raised or lowered to an appropriate position so that only the behavior information of the bather 6 is detected in accordance with the change of the bath surface.
Since I tried to perform the behavior detection process at that position,
The optimum detection range can always be maintained, and the accuracy of bather behavior detection is further improved. Moreover, since the installation position of the apparatus main body 10 is automatically adjusted, the operability, versatility and adaptability of the apparatus are improved.

Although the position adjusting means adjusts the installation position of the apparatus body 10 in this embodiment, when the antenna 11 and the apparatus body 10 are provided separately, the installation position of the antenna 11 is different. You may make it the structure which adjusts only.
Further, in the present embodiment, only the installation height of the apparatus main body 10 is adjusted, but it is also preferable to be able to adjust the installation position in the horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, by providing the water level detector 74, the apparatus main body 10 is automatically adjusted according to the change in the water level of the bathtub.
Although the installation position is adjusted, the position adjustment means may be configured by manually adjusting the installation position of the apparatus body 10 without providing the water level detector 74 and the control unit 71.
Even with such a simple configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately adjust the installation position of the device body 10 to a position where fluctuations in the water surface of the bathtub do not affect the received waves of the antenna 11, and the same as in the first embodiment. The effect of can be obtained.

Note that it is also preferable to combine the height adjusting means described here with the apparatus configuration of each of the above-described embodiments.

[0162]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Radio waves are transmitted from the antenna toward the water surface of the bathtub, reflected waves from the water surface of the bathtub are received by the antenna,
Since at least one of the above is suppressed, the fluctuation of the water surface of the bathtub hardly affects the received wave at the antenna. Therefore, it is possible to selectively observe only the change of the radio wave due to the movement of the bather, and it is possible to accurately and surely detect the abnormality of the bather.

Further, at this time, since the behavior information of the bather and the fluctuation information of the water surface of the bathtub are not mixed in the received wave at the antenna, it is not necessary to have a configuration for signal processing or software processing, and the apparatus configuration Can be simplified, and the device can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one installation mode of a bather behavior detecting device of a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a top view of a bathroom seen from above, and (b) is a top view. It is sectional drawing which looked at the bathroom from the side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detection device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detection device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 (a) is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a modification thereof.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a side view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a bather behavior detecting device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Bather behavior detection device 2 bathrooms 3 wall surfaces 4 bathtub 5 Bathroom remote control 6 bathers 7 bath surface 10 Device body 11 antenna 12, 12a, 12b, 12c Antenna element 13 Direction adjustment mechanism 14 first ring 15 pin 16 Second Ring 17,18 pin 20 Direction adjustment mechanism 21 Arm 22 Hinge 23 Direction adjustment mechanism 30 Shielding member 40a, 40b, 40c Phase shifter 42 In-phase plane 50 cover member 52 In-phase plane 60 parabolic reflector 61 Opening surface 62 Direction adjustment mechanism 70 Rail 71 control unit 72 Control unit 73 Water heater 74 Water level detector 75 Hot water supply pipe 76 signal line B beam

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Gen Fujii             4-1-2 Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture               Within Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2D032 GA00                 4C094 AA01 BC30 DD14 EE20 FF18                       GG12                 5C086 AA22 BA04 CA06 CB27 DA01                 5J070 AB17 AD01 AE09 AK22 BA01

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A bather behavior detection for detecting a bather's behavior by observing a change in the radio wave associated with a bather's movement, which is provided with an antenna for transmitting a radio wave in the bathroom and receiving the radio wave in the bathroom. In the apparatus, a suppression unit is provided for suppressing transmission of radio waves from the antenna toward the water surface in the bathtub and / or reception of radio waves reflected by the water surface in the bathtub by the antenna. A bather behavior detection device characterized by: 2. The suppressing means suppresses transmission of radio waves from the antenna toward the water surface in the bathtub and / or reception of radio waves reflected by the water surface in the bathtub by the antenna. The bather behavior detection device according to claim 1, wherein the directivity of the antenna is changed in a predetermined direction. 3. The bather behavior detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the suppressing means is a direction adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the direction of the device body or the antenna. 4. The bather behavior detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the suppressing unit is a shielding unit that shields radio waves propagating between the antenna and the water surface in the bathtub. 5. The bather behavior detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suppressing unit is a wave guiding unit that guides a radio wave transmitted from the antenna and / or a radio wave received by the antenna. . 6. The bather behavior detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the suppressing means is directivity changing means for electrically changing the directivity of the antenna. 7. The suppressing means is a cover member for covering the antenna, wherein the cover member is set such that a portion near a water surface in the bathtub has a lower dielectric constant than a portion far from the water surface. The bather behavior detection device according to claim 2, wherein 8. The suppressing means is a reflecting means for reflecting a radio wave radiated from the antenna into a bathroom as a plane wave, and the reflecting means transmits the plane wave toward a water surface in a bathtub. Or / and having an opening surface in a direction that suppresses the reflection of the radio wave reflected on the water surface in the bathtub toward the antenna. Person behavior detection device. 9. The suppressing means comprises direction control means for controlling the direction in which the directivity of the antenna is changed, based on the detection result of the water level detection means for detecting the water surface height in the bathtub. Claim 2
The bather behavior detection device according to claim 1. 10. The bather behavior detection according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the suppressing means includes position adjusting means capable of adjusting the installation position of the apparatus main body or the antenna. apparatus. 11. The position adjusting means comprises position control means for controlling the installation position of the apparatus main body or the antenna based on the detection result of the water level detection means for detecting the water surface height in the bathtub. Claim 1
The bather behavior detection device according to 0. 12. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged so that a beam width in a vertical direction is narrower than a beam width in a horizontal direction. The bather behavior detection device according to item 1. 13. A bather behavior detection for detecting a bather's behavior by observing a change in the radio wave associated with a bather's movement using an antenna for transmitting a radio wave in the bathroom and receiving the radio wave in the bathroom. In the method, the step of detecting the water surface height in the bathtub, the radio wave being transmitted from the antenna toward the water surface in the bathtub based on the detected water surface height, and / or the water surface in the bathtub And a step of changing the directivity of the antenna in a direction in which reception of the radio wave reflected by the antenna is suppressed, the bather behavior detecting method.